Haryana govt greenlights bill to regulate travel agents, combat illegal immigration

Haryana Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has approved "The Haryana Registration and Regulation of Travel Agents Bill, 2024 in the interests of innocent and unemployed youths from falling prey to illegal immigration rackets. Given the disturbing trend of individuals, particularly from the States of Punjab and Haryana, being deceived by corrupt travel agents engaged in fraudulent activities related to immigration, this bold initiative has been taken.

Key highlights of this bill include that no person can undertake the profession of a travel agent without obtaining a registration certificate under the Act, an application must be submitted to the competent authority with the required documents, fees, and within the specified time, the competent authority may issue a registration certificate after verifying the application details.

As per the bill the certificate is not issued unless the particulars are verified by the police, the validity of a registration certificate is for three years, renewable as per prescribed procedures. Apart from this, opening a new office or branch requires obtaining a fresh registration certificate.

It clearly mentioned in the bill that the competent authority can cancel a registration certificate for various reasons such as insolvency, criminal activities, violation of terms, etc.

Before cancellation, a show cause notice is issued, and the travel agent has an opportunity to explain. It is further mentioned that suspension may occur for a specified period pending cancellation consideration, A cancelled registration debars the travel agent from the profession for a prescribed period.

Act also mentioned that the court, while addressing offenses under this Act, determines the potential confiscation of illegally acquired property and can order confiscation as deemed appropriate, Individuals involved in human smuggling or forging documents may face imprisonment up to ten years and a fine ranging from Rs 2-5 lakhs, Violating the provisions of this Act or using prohibited devices may result in imprisonment up to seven years and a fine of two to five lakh rupees.

The Haryana Government is committed to protecting its citizens from falling victim to illegal immigration scams. The proposed legislation reflects a proactive approach to regulate travel agents, ensuring transparency, legality, and accountability in immigration-related services. The Government urges all stakeholders to support this initiative to create a safer and more secure environment for individuals seeking opportunities abroad.